In today's business podcast, we will discuss the all important PR conundrum:

This truly is an issue over which small businesses regularly agonize. Do you spend your own valuable time doing this, hire someone on a project basis, or hire someone full-time (this option is for business owners who have the money to do that)?

Hard copy vs. Digital Press Releases

Then there's the issue of going after "traditional" media so you can get placement for your business in a newspaper or magazine. However, I believe that advertising on the media with press releases has much longer lasting effects.

Check out PRWeb and PRWeb Podcast

Did you know that I average 110,000 hits PER PRESS RELEASE with PRWeb? The content is syndicated by other newswires, and then interested people syndicate it on their websites, and it is the best type of viral marketing. Everyone wants to look like they're on top of the news in their industry, so they syndicate newswire RSS feeds.

Digital Press Releases are FOREVER...forever searchable content for search engines.

If McDonald's stopped advertising today, would they really go out of business, as someone has said? We need to be promoting our business via podcasting, blogs, press releases, and any way we can. It's the life blood of our business.

So check out the business podcast today.

It's shorter than usual because I've heard that people like 10 minute podcasts. Let me know if you like the longer or shorter versions.

And of course, check out the International Podcasting Expo, October 20-22, 2006. Seminar slots are filling up and international partners such as India's Podbazaar are joining with us, as well as other new and exciting online services and products. Plan to be there and learn about all that's going on in the world of digital media!

Penny Haynes, 1st Podcast Publishing & DigBizBooks.com

In this week's business podcast, we will analyze the ways in which solopreneurs (individual business owners) are like the multinational companies that are challenging the status quo.

Everyone talks about outsourcing to India and other countries. However, nobody talks about the Third World based companies taking on established First World companies. Today's podcast will focus on the business strategies that these foreign companies are using to make it happen.

Use what you have, start at home, and then slowly branch out from there.

It reminds me of the Great Commission - start in Jerusalem, go to Samaria, and then to the outermost parts of the world. That's how successful smaller companies are doing it.

They are making the most of their hometown resources.

They learn successful marketing techniques by battling larger corporations in their own country. When they have established a home base, they venture out to surrounding countries. After that, they are ready to take on the world.

We discuss many different tactics in this business podcast, so take out your paper and pencil and get ready to take notes.

Success is closer than you think, because it is becoming such a small world. Thanks to Skype, you can talk to anyone, just about anywhere, for just about nothing. You can access talent from around the world to help you make your business brain storms a reality.

Our goal at 1st Podcast Publishing is also to reach around the world.

That's why we are proud to host the online International Podcasting Expo, October 20-22, 2006. Teachers from around the world will present podcasting seminars and workshops in multiple languages. You can attend this online event and all 30+ seminars (and get a 2-CD set of all of the recordings) for only $20 if you sign up before September 1, 2006.

I hope to see you there!

Penny Haynes, 1st Podcast Publishing & International Podcasting Expo

In this week's business podcast, we will review more futuristic inventions, and some technological advances in the sports realm.

OK, so this brainstorming session got somewhat personal when I started talking about sports, and especially Nascar, but it just struck a nerve, you know? When you're passionate about something, it comes through, and in this business podcast, I admit, I did rant a little.

We start off by talking about plastics (nylon) made from corn.

Dupont (Jeff Gordon's sponsor in Nascar - just thought I would throw that in), has traditionally been an ambivalent (at best) company regarding the growing green philosophy. Now, however, they are nearing sainthood with the creation of this synthetic nylon made of organic materials. (Is that an oxymoron?)

Next up is Major League Baseball's aggressive business move to take control over who is watching them.

If the National Football League could do it, why couldnt the MLB? But instead of taking their games to different television networks, they're playing with the power of the internet to draw fans from around the globe - in different languages. I like the idea of on-demand game viewing. I can skip through the more boring parts of games I don't like, and just watch the best parts.

Lastly, we'll discuss a carbon-neutral Chinese island under construction.

Yes, you heard me right. This comes from the nation with the most pollutants, I believe. I like the idea, though, because it talks about the use of solar cells, and I also like the thought that goes into designing the city to maintain shade in certain places, reducing the need for costly temperature controls. But I won't say anything more - it will spoil the story for you.

And, speaking of China, I believe that the Chinese Podcasting Directory, Podlook, will be joining us at the Online International Podcasting Expo, October 20-22, 2006.

We're discussing the possibility of him putting together a team of Chinese podcasters to teach other Chinese nationals how to podcast, using our facilities during the Expo. Now, wouldn't that be cool? More about these things in future business Brain Storm! podcasts. Until then, keep brainstorming!!!

Penny Haynes, 1st Podcast Publishing & DigBizBooks.com